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Northern Illinois University
Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in IL. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.
Annual Tuition
$12,700
Average Sticker Price
Admission Rate
70.5%
Selectivity Level
Graduation Rate
51.3%
Completion Success
Median Earnings
$57,808
10y Career Outlook
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About Institution
Northern Illinois University is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in Dekalb, IL. With a competitive tuition profile of $12,700, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 51.3% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.
Investment Return
Estimated College ROI Analysis
Total 4-Year Cost
$50,800
Based on sticker tuition
Estimated Payback
1.8 yrs
Time to recoup investment
Annual Earnings Boost
+$27,808
vs. $30k HS diploma baseline
10-Year Net Gain
+$227,280
Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost
20-Year Net Gain
+$505,360
Long-term projected return on your education investment
ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at Northern Illinois University is $22,162.
Student Community
Gender Balance
Ethnic Diversity
Security Audit
Incidents
44
Burglary
13
Theft
1
Assault
11
Robbery
1
Rape
17
Arson
1
Murder
0
Financial Outlook
Total Sticker Price
$12,700
Estimated cost before aid.
Net Price By Income
Debt & Financial Aid
Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.
Grant Aid (IPEDS 2021)
* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.
Quick Overview
Faculty Ratio
N/A
Retention
70.4%
Success
51.3%
In-State Cost
$12,700
Age 25+ Students
9.8%
Carnegie Class
R2: Doctoral — High Research
Working at 6yr
5,833 students
Security Benchmark
Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)
Violent Offenses
PER 100KProperty Crimes
PER 100KStats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.
Living In Dekalb
Off-Campus Market Estimator
Studio
$899
Monthly Average
1 Bedroom
$1,014
Monthly Average
2 Bedrooms
$1,327
Monthly Average
3 Bedrooms
$
Monthly Average
Data provided by HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR). These estimates assist with financial planning for off-campus housing in the Dekalb metropolitan area.